Supermodel Gigi Hadid has responded after United States Department of Justice documents linked to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation named her, reigniting public scrutiny.
She explained the reference and firmly distanced herself from Epstein.
According to E! News, the supermodel’s name appeared in a December 2015 email exchange between a redacted individual and Epstein. The person questioned Gigi and Bella Hadid’s career success.
“How did the Hadid sisters become models and make so much money? I don’t understand…” the person asked.
Epstein replied, “You know.” The individual continued, “The father paid the agency.” Epstein responded, “No,” later adding, “Because they follow directions, it’s that simple.”
After a follower commented on Hadid’s March 29 Instagram post saying they were unfollowing her because she had not addressed “those files”, the 30-year-old model responded directly. She said the records “made me sick to my stomach.”
“Horrible to read someone you’ve never met speak about you that way, especially in this context. I didn’t comment because I don’t want to take away from the stories of real victims of his, but your comment made me realise maybe it’s not clear, and it’s important to let you know,” she replied on March 30.
The mother of one added that despite her wealthy upbringing, her parents, Mohamed Hadid and Yolanda Hadid, kept her grounded and instilled a strong work ethic. She joined a modelling agency in 2012 and has since built a successful career.
“I’ve worked hard every moment since. To be named in those files, I think I was 20 or 21 at the time he would have written that email, is disturbing,” she said, adding, “I want to state unequivocally that I have never had any affiliation with that disgusting human being.”
Online, fans expressed mixed reactions to the supermodel’s response.
Gigi Hadid is a premier American supermodel and one of the highest-paid figures in the global fashion industry, having appeared on over 50 international Vogue covers and walked for elite houses like Chanel and Versace.
Beyond her status as a “New Super,” she has secured multi-million dollar contracts with mainstream giants like Maybelline and Tommy Hilfiger, while expanding her influence into television as the host of Netflix’s Next in Fashion.
With an estimated net worth of Sh3.8bn ($30 million) and a massive social media presence, she is a definitive cultural icon whose face is synonymous with modern luxury and global advertising.